Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 Diocese of Carlisle Benefice of Aldingham and Dendron and Rampside and Urswick

Katie Lowe Pastoral Case Advisor

Our ref: NB7/004/kl

27 April 2021

The Bishop of Carlisle has asked us to prepare a draft Pastoral Scheme in respect of pastoral proposals affecting this benefice.

I attach a copy of the draft Scheme and a glossary of terms used together with the Notice. I am sending a copy to all the statutory interested parties, as the Mission and Pastoral Measure requires, and any others with an interest in the proposals.

Anyone may make representations for or against all or any part or parts of the draft Scheme (please include the reasons for your views) by post or, preferably, by email to reach me no later than midnight on Monday 7 June 2021. If we have not acknowledged receipt of your representation before this date, please ring or e-mail me to ensure it has been received. For administrative purposes, a petition will be classed as a single representation and we will only correspond with the sender of the petition, if known, or otherwise the first signatory for whom we can identify an address – “the primary petitioner”.

If we do not receive representations against the draft Scheme, we will make the Scheme and it will come into effect as it provides. A copy of the completed Scheme will be sent to you together with a note of its effective date.

If we receive any representations against the draft Scheme, we will send them, and any representations supporting the draft Scheme, to the Bishop whose views will be sought. Individual representors and the primary petitioner will then receive copies of our correspondence with the Bishop (including copies of all the representations). They and individual petitioners may comment further. Copies of all of the representations received and associated correspondence will normally be published on the Commissioners’ website if the matter needs to be considered by us.

Church House, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3AZ Direct line 020 7898 1737 London Switchboard: 020 7898 1000 Email: [email protected] DX: 148403 Westminster 5 Website: www.ccpastoral.org The Church Commissioners are a registered charity (number 1140097) Those making representations should indicate whether they would like an opportunity to speak to the Commissioners regarding their representations in the event the Commissioners decide a hearing should be held. Meetings are normally held at Church House, Westminster, but during the current circumstances they may need to be held virtually via ‘Zoom’. If a hearing is held, we will let you know the arrangements for attending (in person or virtually) and details will also appear on our website. Otherwise, if a hearing is not to be held, the case will be considered in private and you will be informed accordingly.

When we acknowledge representations we will let individual representors (and the primary petitioner) know the next few dates of our Committee’s meetings. We will confirm the actual date of any hearing nearer the time. The Commissioners will decide if the draft Scheme should proceed when they consider all the representations on the basis of a paper prepared by their staff and any points raised at the meeting. If the Commissioners do so decide, any representor or petitioner against the draft Scheme may seek leave from the Privy Council to appeal against the decision.

You will be informed of the Commissioners’ decision and the reasons for it.

Please see www.churchofengland.org/consultation for further information about the procedure.

PCC Secretaries, incumbents/priests-in-charge/rural deans, persons taking services during the Notice Period and local planning authorities should refer to the relevant notes below for important additional information concerning them.

Katie Lowe

Notes

1. PCC Secretaries (please note that the Reverend Lucie Lunn has kindly offered to co-ordinate what needs to be done)

The draft Scheme is sent to you to ensure that the PCC as a body is able to make a representation on the draft if it wishes.

You are required as soon as possible to: i) print and display the Notice(s) (to avoid spread of Covid-19, please display single-sided) at or near the main door of every parish church, chapel of ease or licensed place of worship in your parish; (if you are unable to print the Notice(s) please get in touch with me and I will make arrangements for copies to be sent to you for display); ii) make arrangements for the Announcement (see 2. below) to be made at as many services as possible at every parish church, chapel of ease or licensed place of worship in your parish where a service is held during the notice period (including any that are ‘streamed’).

Please e-mail or telephone me confirmation as soon as you have displayed the Notice(s) and made arrangements for the announcements to be made. Do not wait until the end of the notice period before confirming this.

Although the following are not legal requirements, to ensure that as many of those who habitually attend public worship, as is practicable, are aware of the contents of the Notice, you are also encouraged to take (or make arrangements for), where possible, such of the following steps as is appropriate in your parish: i) arrange for copies of the Notice to be posted to members of the worshipping community who are shielding or self-isolating (in accordance with the general advice to parishes this should be by the postal service and not hand delivered); ii) insert the Notice in the parish magazine or newsletter; iii) use Facebook/social media posts; iv) send emails; and v) spread by word of mouth, including pastoral telephone calls.

Please make a note of what you have been able to do regarding steps i) to v) above in case the consultation process is queried.

If you are no longer the PCC Secretary, please pass this communication to the current Secretary and let me have a note of his or her name and email/postal address.

Further action required as there is a proposed church closure

In addition to the above, a copy of the draft Scheme must be made available for inspection in the locality – the arrangements for this will already have been made with the parish(es) concerned - please note that the Reverend Lucie Lunn has kindly offered to co-ordinate what needs to be done

If you are the person doing this, will you please let me know that you have taken this additional step.

2. The Announcement

Anybody taking services (including those that are ‘streamed’) during the Notice Period should ensure that the following announcement is made.

“A Notice giving the objects of proposed pastoral reorganisation affecting this parish has or will be displayed near the main door and on the Church of England website. The Notice includes the last date by which representations regarding the proposed reorganisation may be made to the Church Commissioners.”

PCC Secretaries – please note that it is essential that: i) Notices are displayed; and ii) arrangements are made for Announcements.

3. Incumbents/priests-in-charge/rural deans

Please ensure that the required Notices are displayed and Announcements made.

If a PCC Secretary is not able to carry out these requirements, please could you arrange for these matters to be dealt with as soon as possible. Please also let me know if there has been a recent change of Secretary in any of the parishes.

4. Local planning authorities and parish councils

We serve notice on the local planning authority and parish council of the parish in which the affected church building is situated as interested parties under the Mission and Pastoral Measure. Although County and Town Councils are not defined as interested parties under this Measure, please copy this correspondence to either of these parties if you feel this would be helpful. Ward Councillors for the affected parish(es) have been sent a copy of the draft Scheme.

5. Circulation List

The Statutory Advisory Committee of the Church Buildings Council National Churches Trust Commonwealth War Graves Commission Historic England (regional office) Joint Committee War Memorials Trust The Revd Lucie Lunn, priest The Bishop of Carlisle The Crown, Patron The incumbent of the benefice of Dalton-in-Furness, Patron Resident Landowners of the parish of Urswick, Patrons The Ven Vernon Ross, Archdeacon of Westmorland and Furness The Revd Canon Ruth Rossley, Rural Dean of Furness Mr Geoff Brunskill, Deanery Synod Lay Co-Chair Allerdale Borough Council Broughton Moor Parish Council Mrs Avis Edmondson, PCC Secretary for St Matthew, Dendron Mrs Margaret Tate, PCC Secretary for Urswick Cllr Janet Willis Cllr Martin McLeavy

SUMMARY OF MAIN PROVISIONS OF DRAFT SCHEME (NOT PART OF THE DRAFT SCHEME)

This draft Scheme provides for: • the union of the parish of Aldingham, the parish of Saint Matthew Dendron and the parish of Saint Michael Rampside, being three of the four parishes which comprise the area of the benefice of Aldingham and Dendron and Rampside and Urswick in the diocese of Carlisle; • the parish churches of the parish of Aldingham and the parish of Saint Matthew Dendron to both be parish churches of the new parish; and • the parish church of the parish of Saint Michael Rampside to be declared closed for regular public worship.

DRAFT

PASTORAL CHURCH BUILDINGS SCHEME

This Scheme is made by the Church Commissioners (“the Commissioners”) this day of 202 in pursuance of the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011, the Right Reverend James, Bishop of Carlisle, having consented thereto.

PART I

Union of parishes 1. The parish of Aldingham, the parish of Saint Matthew Dendron and the parish of Saint Michael Rampside, being three of the four parishes which comprise the area of the benefice of Aldingham and Dendron and Rampside and Urswick in the diocese of Carlisle, shall be united to create a new parish which shall be named "The Parish of Aldingham, Dendron and Rampside”.

Parish churches 2. The church of Saint Cuthbert, being the parish church of the parish of Aldingham, and the church of Saint Matthew, being the parish church of the parish of Saint Matthew Dendron, shall both be parish churches of the new parish.

Archdeaconry and deanery 3. The new parish shall belong to the archdeaconry of Westmorland and Furness the deanery of Furness.

Representation of the laity 4. The Bishop may by Instrument under his hand make provision for ensuring that the congregation of every church or place of worship in the new parish will have its own elected representatives of the laity on the parochial church council of the new parish.

1 PART II

Declaration of closure for regular public worship 5. (1) The church of Saint Michael, being the parish church of the parish of Saint Michael Rampside, shall be declared closed for regular public worship by this Scheme. (2) The marriage register books appertaining to the said church shall be dealt with in accordance with section 62 of the Marriage Act 1949 and, subject to any provisions of the Parochial Registers and Records Measure 1978 that apply thereto and any directions thereunder, any other register books and records of that church which remain in parochial custody shall be dealt with as the Bishop shall direct.

PART III

Coming into operation of this Scheme 6. (1) Parts I and II of this Scheme shall come into operation upon such date or dates as the Commissioners, after consultation with the Bishop, shall determine. (2) Part III of this Scheme shall come into operation upon the date on which it is made by the Commissioners.

In witness of which this Scheme has been duly executed as a deed by the Church Commissioners.

SIGNED by the ) ) Right Reverend James, ) ) Bishop of Carlisle. )

Executed as a Deed by the Church Commissioners for England acting by two authorised signatories:

------Signature of Authorised Signatory

2 ______Notes by the Church Commissioners’ office (not forming part of the draft Scheme)

The Commissioners have been told by the Bishop on the advice of his Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee that the rationale behind the diocesan proposals is as follows:

St Michael’s Rampside is in an isolated position more than a mile from the village community it serves. There is a very small congregation and the scale of financing and managing the maintenance work has become too difficult. The church is sited on a very exposed site and is now in urgent need of repair. Parking and access on the bend of the main road is poor and this, together with the gravel path, makes it a difficult and hazardous access particularly for the disabled and elderly members of the congregation (who are most of the congregation that worships at Rampside Village Hall). The lack of parking also means it is difficult to attract weddings and other occasional events that might present opportunities for growth and income.

The church was originally considered for closure in 2017, but the PCC decided to worship in the village hall (licensed for worship in 2018) and wait until Mission Community proposals became clearer before making a final decision on the church at Rampside. A well-attended public meeting was then held on 8 September 2019 to discuss the future of the church and there was an understanding by the community of the need to seek closure of this isolated church building. At a PCC meeting on 16 September 2019 it was unanimously agreed to press on with the process for seeking this formal closure.

With regard to the financial situation there has been no increase in giving to the church and the PCC is unable to pay maintenance costs. The church building requires significant repair which the PCC is unable to finance. In the last quinquennial report of 2015, the estimated costs to repair the church were approximately £60,000 and this will have increased in 2020. Free from the financial constraint of a building to maintain, the Rampside church, the community will be able to contribute more effectively to mission activities and initiatives in the wider parish area and village.

Rampside church lies between the small coastal village of Rampside and the town of Barrow in Furness. There is little or no prospect of growing or sustaining a new church congregation at a time when there are other churches in the nearby town with better access and facilities. In addition a village hall opened in Rampside in 2005 which is a purpose-built community hub and event venue and more than adequately provides modern community facilities.

The Diocese does not encourage church closure but recognises that some of the more isolated and rural churches are likely to close over the next few years. Where PCCs decide to pursue closure the Diocese will continue to

3 work with church members, the local parochial clergy and the local community to ensure that adequate pastoral provision continues to be made.

Publication of this draft Scheme by the Commissioners does not mean that we have taken a view on the merits of the diocesan case. We have a duty to publish draft Schemes based on diocesan proposals.

If we receive representations against the draft Scheme, we will send all representations, both for and against, to the Bishop whose views will be sought. Individual representors will then receive copies of our correspondence with the Bishop (including copies of all the representations) and they may comment further in writing to us in light of the diocesan response if they so wish.

If there are no representations against the draft Scheme, we will make the Scheme and arrange for it to be brought into effect.

Clause 2 - the Church of Saint Matthew, Dendron

The Diocese will shortly be circulating separate draft proposals for St Matthew’s, Dendron to be declared closed for regular public worship and interested parties will have an opportunity to make their views known. If that Scheme proceeds and is capable of being made before this current Scheme, then this Scheme will be editorially amended before it is made to remove reference to Saint Matthew’s Church from clause 2.

Clause 4 – representation of the laity

The Mission and Pastoral Measure stipulates that any provision for the representation of the laity on the parochial church council shall cease to have effect not later than five years from the date on which this Scheme comes into effect. It would, however, be possible under the Church Representation Rules to make a similar provision for an unlimited period.

Clause 5 – St Michael’s Church, Rampside

This Scheme, if implemented, would have the effect of closing Saint Michael’s Church for public worship and vesting it in the Carlisle Diocesan Board of Finance for care and maintenance pending a decision on its future. Any such decision would be the subject of a second Scheme, called a Pastoral (Church Buildings Disposal) Scheme, which would be prepared and published by the Church Commissioners, and with regard to which an opportunity would be given for representations to be made. In terms of implementing this Pastoral Church Buildings Scheme subject to the consideration of any representations, the Commissioners will need to be satisfied that all aspects of title relating to the church, including access and any rights of way, are in order before they make the Scheme. Banns of marriage may not be called nor marriages solemnized in the church from the date of closure.

27 April 2021

Notice Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 Draft Pastoral Scheme

The Church Commissioners have prepared a draft Scheme in respect of proposals sent to them by the Bishop of Carlisle for the union of the parish of Aldingham, the parish of Saint Matthew Dendron and the parish of Saint Michael Rampside, being three of the four parishes which comprise the area of the benefice of Aldingham and Dendron and Rampside and Urswick in the diocese of Carlisle; for the parish churches of the parish of Aldingham and the parish of Saint Matthew Dendron to both be parish churches of the new parish; and for the parish church of the parish of Saint Michael Rampside to be declared closed for regular public worship.

A copy of the draft Scheme may be inspected at the church of Saint Michael, Rampside. The draft Scheme is also on our website www.churchofengland.org/consultation or you may obtain a copy from me. Large print and/or audio copies are available on request. Anyone may make representations for or against all or any part of the draft Scheme (please include the reasons for your views) by post or, preferably, by email to reach me no later than midnight on Monday 7 June. If I have not acknowledged its receipt, please ring or e-mail me. For administrative purposes, a petition will be classed as a single representation and we will only correspond with the sender of the petition, if known, or otherwise the first signatory for whom we can identify an address – “the primary petitioner”.

When making a representation, please indicate the nature of your interest in the proposals (e.g. parishioner, member of parochial church council, etc) and whether you would like an opportunity to speak to the Commissioners regarding your representation if they decide a hearing should be held regarding the case.

If we receive representations against the draft Scheme, we will send them, and any representations supporting the draft Scheme, to the Bishop whose views will be sought. Individual representors and the primary petitioner will then receive copies of the correspondence with the Bishop (including copies of all the representations) and will be told whether a hearing is to be held. They and individual petitioners may comment further to the Commissioners. Copies of all of the representations received and associated correspondence will be published on the Commissioners’ website if the matter needs to be considered by the Commissioners.

If a hearing is held, anyone may attend the meeting of the Commissioners’ Committee that considers the case and representors may have an opportunity to speak to it. Otherwise, if a hearing is not to be held, the case will be considered in private and you will be informed accordingly.

When we acknowledge representations we will let individual representors (and the primary petitioner) know the next few dates of our Committee’s meetings. We will confirm the actual date if a hearing is to be held nearer the time. Church House, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3AZ Direct line 020 7898 1737 London Switchboard: 020 7898 1000 Email: [email protected] DX: 148403 Westminster 5 Website: www.ccpastoral.org The Church Commissioners are a registered charity (number 1140097)

The Committee will decide if the draft Scheme should proceed when it considers all the representations on the basis of a paper prepared by the Commissioners’ staff and any points raised at the meeting. The Commissioners will notify all representors of their decision and give a statement of the reasons for it.

If they so decide, any representor or petitioner against the draft Scheme may seek leave from the Privy Council to appeal against the decision.

Please see www.churchofengland.org/consultation for further information about the procedure.

Katie Lowe Tel: 020 7898 1737 Email address: [email protected] Church Commissioners, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ

Glossary of words commonly used in Pastoral Reorganisation A fuller version is available in the Code of Recommended Practice to the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 https://www.churchofengland.org/more/parish-reorganisation-and-closed-church-buildings/mission-and-pastoral-measure-2011-and-code#na) Archbishop Senior bishop with authority over a Province - of Canterbury and of York.

Archdeacon An office held by a senior clergyperson appointed by the bishop with an administrative responsibility over an archdeaconry. Some of his/her duties are laid down by law but in other respects his/her duties vary according to diocesan practice: they include care for church property.

Archdeaconry Sub-division of the diocese over which an archdeacon has administrative responsibility.

Benefice An ecclesiastical office carrying certain duties. An incumbent's benefice is therefore not a geographical area (see parish) but the office to which (s)he is appointed and may comprise one or more parishes. A benefice may be a rectory or vicarage from which the incumbent is called rector or vicar.

Bishop In the Church of England the bishop is the central focus of organisation and ministry within his/her diocese. He/She is the chief pastor and authority and shares the cure of souls with all the incumbents of that diocese. He/She is also, in his/her own person, the chief representative of the diocese in the work of the wider church. He/She may be assisted by suffragan or assistant bishops.

Bishop’s Pastoral Order An amendment made in 2018 to the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 to enable fairly minor matters to be dealt with by the Bishop at the local/diocesan level and for which there are no rights of objection. e.g. changing the name of a benefice or parish. Common Tenure The basis on which all Church of England offices will eventually be held under the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Measure 2009. Existing holders of freehold offices may decide not to opt-in to Common Tenure but new office holders will be on Common Tenure. (not going to mention here about continuing to retain freehold on e.g. a union, but not when named 1st TR or TV of a new TM – as likely to be unnecessarily confusing for a ‘glossary’ – which just ‘glosses’ on certain matters) Chapel of Ease A consecrated church that it is not a parish church but is within a parish that (normally) does have a parish church. Originally for the ease of parishioners who could not attend the parish church.

Church Representation Schedule 3 to the Synodical Government Measure 1969 but updated as a separate booklet. They Rules contain the mechanism for the setting up of representative bodies in the Church of England from parochial church councils to the House of Laity of the General Synod.

Cure of Souls 'Cure' means 'care'. The bishop has the universal cure of souls in a diocese but, subject to this, the incumbent of a benefice (or team rector and team vicar(s) in a team ministry) has the exclusive cure of souls within his or her parish or parishes. The expression should not be confused with the more general phrase 'pastoral care'.

Deanery A sub-division of an archdeaconry usually comprising between 10 and 20 parishes.

Declaration of closure for The act of closing a church for public worship under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011. regular public worship

Diocesan Board of A company constituted by the diocesan synod and regulated by the Companies Acts. A board of Finance finance holds property for Church of England purposes, transacts business in that connection and acts as a committee of the diocesan synod. It normally also acts as the diocesan trust.

Diocesan Mission and Statutory Committee established by the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011. Its duty is to review the Pastoral Committee arrangement for pastoral supervision in the diocese and, as appropriate, to make recommendations to the bishop.

Diocese One of 41 main territorial units of the Church of England over which a bishop has responsibility. Divided into archdeaconries, deaneries and parishes.

District Church Council If a parish comprises two or more places of worship or churches then individual councils can be set up for the districts in which each place of worship or church is situated to exercise such functions as may be delegated by the parochial church council.

Glebe Land or buildings vested in the Diocesan Board of Finance that either provides a rental income to augment the Diocesan Stipends Fund or provides housing for those involved in the cure of souls.

Group Ministry An arrangement, authorised by the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011, whereby the clergy of two or more separate benefices can assist each other to make the best possible provision for the cure of souls in the area as a whole.

Incumbent Holder of a benefice (which can be either a freehold or a Common Tenure office) – and can be either a rector or a vicar - with responsibility for the cure of souls. May be assisted by curate, deacon, licensed lay worker, retired priest etc.

1 Glossary of words commonly used in Pastoral Reorganisation Joint Council A provision brought about by the Church Representation and Ministers Measure 2019, which may only be established under the Church Representation Rules, and deals with matters that may be delegated to it by the PCCs concerned. Please note that it is now no longer possible for any new group councils, team councils or joint PCCs to be established under the CRRs (or for a time-limited permissive option under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 process). Leave to Appeal Any person who makes a representation to the Commissioners against a pastoral scheme has a right to apply for leave to appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council against a decision of the Commissioners to proceed notwithstanding that representation. Members ('Other') of a May be clerical or lay (see s.34 of Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011). They share the pastoral care of Team Ministry the area with the team rector and team vicars, but NOT the cure of souls.

Mission and Pastoral The Measure of the General Synod which authorises changes in pastoral reorganisation. Designed to Measure 2011 "make better provision for the cure of souls". Part of the law of the land and equivalent to an Act of Parliament.

Mission, Pastoral and A Committee of the Commissioners' Board of Governors which makes decisions on representations Church Property on pastoral, church buildings, houses and glebe matters. It is chaired by the Third Church Estates Committee Commissioner.

Parish Centre of An unconsecrated Place of Worship designated by the bishop under s.43 of the Mission and Pastoral Worship Measure 2011 whereupon for most purposes (other than marriage) it is regarded as a parish church.

Parish Church A consecrated building in a parish in which, subject to canon law, the statutory services must be held unless there are other churches in the benefice where this can happen and/or certain other dispensations have been provided for under the Canons. Parishioners have a right to be married, baptised etc. in the parish church. S.41(2) of the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 requires that any new church or existing building which is to become a parish church must be approved by the bishop, subject to the bishop having consulted both the Diocesan Pastoral Committee and the Diocesan Advisory Committee.

Parochial Church Council Representative body of parishioners elected from those on the electoral roll in accordance with the Church Representation Rules. Usually chaired by incumbent.

Parsonage House The official place of residence of an incumbent of a benefice. The house belongs to the incumbent in right of his or her office.

Pastoral Order A document which effects changes in pastoral reorganisation made under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011. Differs from a pastoral scheme mainly in that it deals with lesser matters.

Pastoral Scheme A document which effects more complex changes in pastoral reorganisation made under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011. A Pastoral Church Buildings Scheme is required where a closure of church building is being proposed – or a Pastoral (Church Buildings Disposal) Scheme if it deals with an already closed (former) church building

Patron The person or body owning an advowson (i.e. right to present a priest to a benefice) who may be a private individual or a corporation (ecclesiastical or lay).

Plurality The holding of two or more separate benefices by one incumbent. This can only be authorised by a scheme or order or Bishop’s Pastoral Order under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011.

Priest in Charge A priest given charge of a suspended benefice by licence of the bishop. (S)he has not been presented and is not the incumbent but holds office under common tenure.

Representations The Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 requires that any draft scheme or order be published and made available to the public. Any person can make written representations to the Commissioners either for or against what is proposed.

Restriction/Suspension of Where a patron’s right of presentation is restricted (where consultation about pastoral reorganisation presentation has begun or the bishop has asked the DMPC to consider it) or suspended (where pastoral reorganisation or replacement of parsonage house may be considered). Team Ministry A special form of ministry whereby a team of clergy and possibly lay people share the pastoral care of the area of a benefice. Can only be established by a pastoral scheme.

Team Rector The priest in a team ministry who heads the team and owns the property of the benefice. (S)he shares the cure of souls with the team vicars.

Team Vicar A priest of incumbent status in a team ministry, other than the team rector. (S)he shares the cure of souls with the team rector and other team vicars.